Germany's World Cup winners have returned home to incredible scenes with tens of thousands of fans packing Berlin to greet their footballing heroes.
The crowds had begun to gather in the centre of the German capital before daybreak, hours in advance of the squad's return from Brazil, and concentrating on the Brandenburg Gate where the players will display the trophy.
Thousands more fans waited at Tegel airport to welcome team's arrival in a Lufthansa plane which had been specially rebranded "Fanhansa" to celebrate the team's achievement. Germany's World Cup win on Sunday was the country's fourth and the first since reunification.
Heroes welcome in Berlin for German World Cup winners
(01 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Thomas Mueller (L) and Manuel Neuer (R) of Germany celebrate on stage at the German team victory ceremony on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Matthias Kern via Getty Images)
(02 of42)
Germany's national football team's defender Per Mertesacker (L) and Germany's defender Jerome Boateng spray sparkling wine as they celebrate their FIFA World Cup 2014 title at a victory parade in front of fans on July 15, 2014 at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL (Photo credit should read ROBERT MLCHAEL,ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
(03 of42)
(LtoR) Germany's national football team's midfielder Thomas Mueller and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer celebrate their FIFA World Cup 2014 title at a victory parade in front of fans on July 15, 2014 at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL (Photo credit should read ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ROBERT MICHAEL via Getty Images)
(04 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Thomas Mueller of Germany and team mates celebrates on stage at the German team victory ceremony July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Adam Pretty via Getty Images)
(05 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Per Mertesacker (L) and Jerome Boateng (R) of Germany celebrate on stage at the German team victory ceremony on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Matthias Kern via Getty Images)
(06 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Mats Hummels (L) and Thomas Mueller (R) of Germany celebrate on stage at the German team victory ceremony on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Matthias Kern via Getty Images)
(07 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Mario Goetze and Lukas Podolski of Germany celebrate on stage at the German team victory ceremony July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Adam Pretty via Getty Images)
(08 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Benedikt Hoewedes of Germany celebrates on stage at the German team victory ceremony July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Adam Pretty/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Adam Pretty via Getty Images)
(09 of42)
Germany's goalkeeper Manuel Neuer drinks from a giant beer bottle on a stage at the 'Fanmeile' area, where fans welcomed players and members of Germany's football national team on July 15, 2014 at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after their 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / CLEMENS BILAN (Photo credit should read CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:CLEMENS BILAN via Getty Images)
(10 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Bastian Schweinsteiger, Per Mertesacker, Manuel Neuer, Kevin Grosskreutz and Lukas Podolski (L-R) celebrate on stage at the German team victory ceremony July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Grimm via Getty Images)
(11 of42)
Players of the German national football team (L-R) Lukas Podolski, Per Mertesacker, Mesut Oezil, Ron-Robert Zieler, Jerome Boateng and Sami Khedira celebrate on a stage at the 'Fanmeile' area, where fans welcomed players and members of Germany's football national team on July 15, 2014 at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after their 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / CLEMENS BILAN (Photo credit should read CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:CLEMENS BILAN via Getty Images)
(12 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Fans enjoy the atmosphere during the German team victory ceremony July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Grimm via Getty Images)
(13 of42)
Members of the German soccer squad wave to fans after the arrival of the German national soccer team in Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(14 of42)
German national soccer players, from left, Mesut Ãzil, Benedikt Hoewedes and Per Mertesacker , celebrate as they tour Berlin by bus Tuesday July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. (AP Photo/dpa, Jens Kalaene) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(15 of42)
The German soccer squad arrives in central Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(16 of42)
German soccer player Thomas Mueller lifts the trophy next to goalie Manuel Neuer,, center right, after the arrival of the German national soccer squad in Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(17 of42)
Members of the German soccer squad wave to fans after the arrival of the German national soccer team in Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. (AP Photo/Michael Sohn) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(18 of42)
The German soccer squad arrives in central Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(19 of42)
German fans gather on the 17th of June street in Berlin on July 15, 2014, few hours before the victory parade of German national football team at landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game .AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL (Photo credit should read ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ROBERT MICHAEL via Getty Images)
(20 of42)
German fans gather in front of a stage installed for a victory parade of Germany's football national team on July 15, 2014 at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL (Photo credit should read ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ROBERT MICHAEL via Getty Images)
(21 of42)
German fans await the arrival of the German national team at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. The banner reads 'thank you youngsters' AFP PHOTO / CLEMENS BILAN (Photo credit should read CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:CLEMENS BILAN via Getty Images)
(22 of42)
German fans cheer as the plane carrying the German national team flies over Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate on July 15, 2014. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / CLEMENS BILAN (Photo credit should read CLEMENS BILAN/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:CLEMENS BILAN via Getty Images)
(23 of42)
A Germany fan waits for the team to appear on the stage at the Brandenburg gate after the arrival of the German national soccer team in Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germany beat Argentina 1-0 on Sunday to win its fourth World Cup title. (AP Photo/Jens Meyer) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(24 of42)
German fans gather in front of a giant screen and a stage installed for a victory parade of Germany's football national team on July 15, 2014 at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL (Photo credit should read ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ROBERT MICHAEL via Getty Images)
(25 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Fans wait as the German national team return after winning the 2014 World Cup at Berlin Tegel Airport on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Karina Hessland/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Karina Hessland via Getty Images)
(26 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: The aircraft Siegerflieger comes into land as the German national team return after winning the 2014 World Cup at Berlin Tegel Airport on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Karina Hessland/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Karina Hessland via Getty Images)
(27 of42)
The plane with the players of German national soccer team arrived at Tegel airport in Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. Words on plane read : Winner Plane, and instead of Lufthansa, Fanhansa. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(28 of42)
The plane with the players of German national soccer team arrives at Tegel airport in Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. Words on plane read: Winner Plane and instead of Lufthansa, Fanhansa. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(29 of42)
The pilot of the plane transporting German national team waves a national flag at Berlin airport Tegel on July 15, 2014, as they arrive from Brazil after they won the FIFA World Cup 2014. The team comes to Berlin for a victory parade at landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their fourth World Cup title, after their 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game . AFP PHOTO / ADAM BERRY (Photo credit should read ADAM BERRY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADAM BERRY via Getty Images)
(30 of42)
Players of German national soccer squad, Philipp Lahm, Thomas Mueller, Sebastian Schweinsteiger and Sami Khedira, from left, wave in joy as they arrive at Tegel airport in Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germanyâs World Cup-winning team has returned home from Brazil to celebrate the countryâs fourth title with huge crowds of fans. The teamâs Boeing 747 touched down at Berlinâs Tegel airport midmorning Tuesday after flying a lap of honor over the âfan mileâ in front of the landmark Brandenburg Gate. (AP Photo/Markus Schreiber) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(31 of42)
Germany's defender Philipp Lahm holds the World Cup as he and Germany's midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger get off their airplane at Berlin airport Tegel on July 15, 2014, as they arrive from Brazil after they won the FIFA World Cup 2014. The team comes to Berlin for a victory parade at landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their fourth World Cup title, after their 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game .AFP PHOTO / ADAM BERRY (Photo credit should read ADAM BERRY/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:ADAM BERRY via Getty Images)
(32 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Philipp Lahm holds up the World Cup as the German national team return after winning the 2014 World Cup at Berlin Tegel Airport on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Karina Hessland/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Karina Hessland via Getty Images)
(33 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Bastian Schweinsteiger and Philipp Lahm with the cup as the German national team return after winning the 2014 World Cup at Berlin Tegel Airport on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Karina Hessland/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Karina Hessland via Getty Images)
(34 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Team Germany arrives at Berlin after winning the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil final against Argentina at Tegel Airport on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Matthias Kern/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Matthias Kern via Getty Images)
(35 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Headcoach Joachim Loew as the German national team return after winning the 2014 World Cup at Berlin Tegel Airport on July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Karina Hessland/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Karina Hessland via Getty Images)
(36 of42)
Fans take pictures of the plane with the German team on board that flies over the stage at the Brandenburg gate prior to the arrival of the German national soccer team in Berlin Tuesday, July 15, 2014. Germany beat Argentina 1-0 on Sunday to win its fourth World Cup title. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
(37 of42)
German fans cheer as the German national team rides in an open-deck bus to Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / DPA / WOLFGANG KUMM /GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read WOLFGANG KUMM/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:WOLFGANG KUMM via Getty Images)
(38 of42)
German fans cheer as the German national team rides in an open-deck bus to Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / DPA / KAY NIETFELD /GERMANY OUT (Photo credit should read KAY NIETFELD/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:KAY NIETFELD via Getty Images)
(39 of42)
A German fan has his face painted with the German national colours as he waits in front of a stage installed for a victory parade of Germany's football national team on July 15, 2014 at Berlin's landmark Brandenburg Gate to celebrate their FIFA World Cup title. Germany won their fourth World Cup title, after 1-0 win over Argentina on July 13, 2014 in Rio de Janeiro in the FIFA World Cup Brazil final game. AFP PHOTO / ROBERT MICHAEL (Photo credit should read ROBERT MLCHAEL,ROBERT MICHAEL/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:AFP via Getty Images)
(40 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Fans enjoy the atmosphere as they wait for the players during the German team victory ceremony July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Grimm via Getty Images)
(41 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Fans enjoy the atmosphere as they wait for the players during the German team victory ceremony July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Grimm via Getty Images)
(42 of42)
BERLIN, GERMANY - JULY 15: Fans enjoy the atmosphere as they wait for the players during the German team victory ceremony July 15, 2014 in Berlin, Germany. Germany won the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil match against Argentina in Rio de Janeiro on July 13. (Photo by Alex Grimm/Bongarts/Getty Images) (credit:Alex Grimm via Getty Images)